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Updated Oct 14, 2024How Much to Spend on a Wedding Gift in Every Possible Situation
How much to budget for besties, acquaintances and everyone in between.
Photos: Getty,Design: Falak Khoja
At a glance:
- How much to spend on a wedding gift for immediate family and best friends: $250+
- How much to spend on a wedding gift for friends: $100–$200
- How much to spend on a wedding gift for family: $50–$200
- How much to spend on a wedding gift for coworkers and acquaintances: $100–$150
You're invited! Being asked to attend a wedding is exciting, but it also raises questions like how much to spend on a wedding gift and what type of present to give. While gift etiquette doesn't demand an exact wedding gift amount, there are certain guidelines you can follow. Wondering how much to give for a wedding gift? We have advice from an etiquette expert and data from The Knot Guest Study* to help you pick an appropriate wedding gift amount. We'll break down exactly how much money you should spend on a wedding gift for a close friend, an acquaintance and even a coworker, and answer the most commonly asked questions. (Can $50 really be enough for a wedding gift? We've got the scoop.) Brush up on our top gift-giving tips to help you decide how much cash to give for a wedding present, then check out our roundup of the best wedding gift ideas for inspiration.
In this article:
- How Much to Spend on a Wedding Gift
- Factors That Influence How Much You Should Spend on a Wedding Gift
- Where to Find a Wedding Gift in Your Price Range
- How to Budget an Appropriate Wedding Gift Amount
- Wedding Gift Spend FAQ
How Much to Spend on a Wedding Gift
Deciding how much to spend on wedding gifts for friends, family members or coworkers can be a minefield, but we're here to help. Below, we break down common scenarios to help you find a number to fit your budget and the couple you're buying for.
| Relationship | Spend Range | Cash Gift Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Best friend/immediate family | $250+ | $250 |
| Close friend | $150–$250 | $200 |
| Good friend | $100–$200 | $175 |
| Extended family member | $100–$150 | $150 |
| Acquaintance/coworker | $100–$150 | $100 |
| Distant relative/friend of friend | $50–$100 | $75 |
Wedding Gift Amount for Family
For someone like a sibling, you can spoil them a little and spend upwards of $250 (if that's comfortable for your budget). Remember, having a close relationship doesn't mean you need to splurge. A sentimental gift can be just as meaningful as something extravagant. For extended family members, look for gifts priced between $100 and $150, and for distant relatives you aren't particularly close with, a gift of $100 or under can suffice.
Wedding Gift Amount for Friends
For your very best friend, you might want to spend an amount that's similar to what you would on a sibling: $250 or so. Good friends should receive wedding gifts between $100 and $200 and, according to our data, guests spent an average of $140 on wedding gifts for casual friends. With this in mind, we recommend browsing presents in the $100 to $175 range roughly for friends. Ultimately, you'll want to consider your relationship with the couple, along with your budget, to choose an appropriate gift.
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Wedding Gift Amount for Acquaintances and Coworkers
Need help figuring out a wedding gift amount for a coworker or acquaintance? Look for presents that fall between $50 and $100. If you've been friendly for longer than a year, you might lean toward the higher end of this scale. Whatever the case, this amount is a good guideline for choosing wedding gifts for your coworker or wedding gifts for your boss. And, if you're still unsure, you can always give money or a gift card. "Cash is a perfectly acceptable gift to give on its own," Post shares. "We just recommend that you give a monetary gift with a wedding card so the couple knows who it came from."
Factors That Influence How Much You Should Spend on a Wedding Gift
When it comes down to it, you should spend whatever feels right to you on a wedding gift. The considerations below could help you figure out where you fall on the spend spectrum, or work out a number that works well for you.
- Average cost: According to the most recent The Knot Guest Study, guests spent an average of $150 on a wedding gift, with that number increasing for good friends and close family members, and decreasing for lesser-known folks. While this data is a helpful starting point, it's really up to you to settle on an appropriate wedding gift amount.
- Travel for wedding: Depending on your overall budget, you may choose to spend a little less on a wedding gift, given the funds that went towards accommodations, flights and so on.
- Your own personal budget and income: Let it be known that your presence truly is a present for the couple, and you won't be judged if you can't shell out for an extravagant wedding gift.
- Additional gifts for showers: If you're invited to a supplementary gift-centric wedding event like a shower, you can spend less on the actual wedding gift itself. Use the numbers above as a guide for the total of both gifts.
- If you're splitting a gift with a partner: In this scenario, you might consider spending anywhere from $100 to over $200 on a wedding gift. "If you're attending the wedding with a significant other, you can always give a gift together," Post explains. "The gift can be structured any way you want: One person can give the gift while the other signs the card or you can chip into the gift together. Whether or not you contribute to the gift is between you and the person you're attending with, just make sure both names are on the card."
- If you're gifting as a family: If a wedding invitation has been addressed to your whole family, only one gift is expected and you should budget $150 to more than $200, depending on how much you'll spend traveling to the wedding. If you have adult children who were sent their own invitation, they should prepare to give a separate wedding gift within their budget.
- Overall wedding spend: It's fair to take into account how much you spent on the overall wedding celebration when it comes to thinking through how much you should give for a wedding gift. For example, if you've dropped $1,000 on a bach trip and had to travel for the wedding, you shouldn't feel pressure to splurge.
Where to Find a Wedding Gift in Your Price Range
No matter if the couple you're celebrating has a registry on The Knot or elsewhere, you can use The Knot to shop for a wedding gift with ease. Yes, you can order from legacy brands that have some serious name recognition and discover some fancy new favorites that have the seal of approval from the team. You can browse gifts by brand, category and—most importantly—by price, so you can scoop something up quickly once you figure out how much to spend on a wedding gift. Check out the thoughtful collections of wedding presents below.
How to Budget an Appropriate Wedding Gift Amount
To determine how much to give as a wedding gift, it's best to estimate what you're comfortable spending on the overall event. Between prewedding parties, travel accommodations and your outfit(s), the cost of being a wedding guest adds up. Factor in the price of a wedding present and that amount increases, especially if you have more than one friend or family member tying the knot in a season.
Budgeting for a wedding gift can be difficult, as there isn't one go-to price that works for everyone. The amount you spend on a wedding gift depends on a variety of factors, like your financial status. "The magic number for how much you should spend on a wedding gift depends on what fits your budget," says Lizzie Post, Co-President of The Emily Post Institute. "You should give a gift that's worth what you can afford to give comfortably."
Hopefully, this expert advice will provide clarity (and perhaps a little relief). It's also worth noting that many traditional gifting rules are no longer relevant. "The amount of your gift does not have to cover your head or plate, which is a common misconception," Post explains. "Guests shouldn't even know how much their seat costs at a wedding. Your gift amount also does not have to be influenced by what the couple may have given you as a wedding gift either." Lastly, the formality of the event shouldn't impact how much to give for a wedding gift. "Just because you get invited to a formal event doesn't mean you can suddenly afford a gift at a higher price range," Post adds. "It always goes back to what you can comfortably afford."
Wedding Gift Spend FAQ
By now, you probably have a clearer picture of how much you should spend on a wedding present. That said, you may still have a few questions on your mind. Is $100 enough for a wedding gift? Do you even have to give a wedding gift at all? Do you buy gifts for the bridal shower and the wedding? Read on to find the answers to the most common wedding gift queries.
Is it okay to give cash as a wedding gift?
Yes, it's okay to give cash as a wedding gift. Both cash and traditional presents are great options when it comes to wedding gifting. As tradition has evolved, it's more common to give money as a wedding gift. (And yes, it's totally acceptable by modern etiquette standards.) In fact, some couples prefer it, which is why there's been an influx of monetary funds (like those available via The Knot Cash Funds) added to registries recently. According to our The Knot Guest Study data, 40% of guests give cash for a wedding gift, compared to 50% who gave a physical gift. (The remaining 10% opted to give a gift card.) Ultimately, you can't go wrong with a wedding gift, a voucher or cash. The choice simply comes down to your personal preference.
Is $100 enough money to give for a wedding?
While clocking in a bit below the average wedding gift price, $100 is a perfectly fine amount of money to give for a wedding gift. As Post stated above, the right number depends on what you can afford. Guests are encouraged to use the average cost of a wedding gift, $150, as a starting point rather than a target.
Should the wedding gift amount match the price per head?
Nowadays, using the "cover your plate" rule as a formula for how much to spend on a wedding gift is not ideal. Would you give your best friend a less expensive gift because they were having a more casual affair? Instead, use your relationship with the couple and our gift calculator to land at an appropriate wedding gift amount.
Should I give a gift if I can't attend the wedding?
Yes, it's best practice to give a gift if you can't attend the wedding. Here's a tricky one: How much should you spend on a wedding gift if you aren't attending the actual event? Even if you have to RSVP "no," it's still recommended to send the couple a gift to thank them for inviting you. You may decline a wedding invitation for various reasons, but if the cost is a factor, it's understandable if you can't commit to a pricey gift. Regardless of your financial status, we recommend checking the couple's registry to find ideas in your price range. Look for flexible options like gift cards, cash funds or affordable home items. You could also go in on a group gift with other guests to offset some of the costs.
Do I have to buy a wedding gift?
Technically, you aren't required to give a wedding gift, but it's proper etiquette to give something. Thanks to modern registry tools, it's easier than ever to find a present that fits your budget. You can check the couple's registry for options at different price ranges, or if you prefer, contribute to a cash fund or send a check in the mail.
Do I give a wedding gift for a destination wedding?
You might be tempted to skip the gift if you're traveling for a far-flung destination wedding, but according to destination wedding gift etiquette, you should still give the newlyweds something to celebrate. Some couples may ask guests to forgo a gift, but unless it's explicitly stated, it's better to pick out a present for the newlyweds.
Do I purchase gifts for multiple wedding events?
If you're invited to both the shower and wedding day, bank on buying a gift for each event. So, what's the difference? "A wedding shower is the one event where a gift is required because the entire event revolves around giving gifts to the couple," Post says. "If you're ever not sure whether a gift is necessary, check with the host to find out what's expected."
Giving a shower gift and a wedding present can be expensive, which is why budgeting is important. Plan ahead where you can, so your total budget covers shower and wedding gifts, along with small presents for the engagement or bachelorette parties. Remember: You don't have to spend an equal amount on gifts for the shower and the wedding; it's fine to give a little more to one event and less to the other.
